Police arrest three suspects, recover AK-47 rifles in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested three suspects over alleged illegal firearms manufacturing during an intelligence-led operation in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also led to the recovery of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally made pistols, and several tools and accessories allegedly used in the production of firearms.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected illegal arms manufacturing syndicate operating in Adikpo, Kwande LGA.

Aondogwu said the operatives raided two suspected firearms manufacturing locations in Adikpo on July 29, 2026, at about 1:20 a.m., leading to the arrest of two suspects.

He explained that officers recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, along with tools and accessories believed to have been used for manufacturing firearms, from the first location.

At the second location, the operatives recovered five locally fabricated pistols, while a third suspect was later arrested in connection with the alleged operation.

The police spokesperson added that further investigation led to another breakthrough.

According to him, operatives returned to the area on July 31, 2026, at about 5:20 a.m. and recovered an additional locally fabricated AK-47 rifle from one of the suspects already in custody.

The latest recovery brings the total number of firearms seized during the operation to two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and five locally fabricated pistols.

Aondogwu said the suspects remain in custody while detectives continue investigations to uncover the full extent of the alleged illegal firearms manufacturing network and identify other persons linked to the operation.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C. Nwadiogwu, commended the VCRU operatives for their intelligence-driven efforts and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal firearms across Benue State.

The police also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.